Ming Tsai had everything going for him, from cookbooks to winning an Emmy Award, until his wife’s cancer took precedence over everything else in his life. Ming and their sons were devastated when Ming’s wife Polly Talbot was diagnosed with lung cancer. They were all there for her and vowed to help her fight it, no matter what her chances of survival were.
Despite widespread speculation that she would die, Tsai’s wife made a remarkable comeback — and is still alive.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Ming Tsai |
| Date of Birth | 29 March 1964 |
| Age | 59 years |
| Height/How tall? | 6 feet |
| Profession | American restaurant owner, television personality, famous chef, and former professional squash athlete. |
| Father Name | Stephen Tsai |
| Mother Name | Iris Tsai |
| Gender Identity | Male |
| Is Married? | Yes |
| Is Gay? | No |
| Net Worth | $10 Million |
Ming Tsai Net worth
Ming Tsai’s net worth is about $10 million as of January 2024.
Ming’s wife has Stage 4 lung cancer
Tsai received the ‘Impact Award’ at the ‘American Cancer Society’s California Spirit 33 Gourmet Garden Party’ in 2018 for his tireless work with Family Reach, a national organization that assists families in financial crisis when cancer strikes. On that occasion, he broke the news about his wife’s illness. In October 2017, he revealed that his wife was also diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
He went on to say that the Tsai family was standing shoulder to shoulder with Talbot to make sure she was feeling normal. Talbot, Tsai’s wife, is currently undergoing a $17,000 pill treatment. Despite the fact that she only needs to take one pill per month and is recovering well, the financial impact is clear to all.
Polly Talbot is still alive and well
Talbot, the award-winning chef’s wife, is currently alive and appears to be in good health, according to a recent Instagram post by Tsai. On May 10, 2021, he shared a photo of himself with his wife and sons. This post was also an answer to many people who were curious about Talbot’s health after he was diagnosed with cancer.
More importantly, the Tsai family has demonstrated that fighting cancer with the love and support of one’s family is possible. Since 1996, the couple has been married. David and Henry are their two sons.
Ming Tsai is a man on a mission
Tsai remains a humble and down-to-earth person despite having thousands of followers on his social media handles and numerous prestigious awards adorning his home. Because of his wife’s illness, he became aware of the financial difficulties that others face in similar situations. As a result, he now works to assist such people through Family Reach, hoping that it will provide them with tremendous assistance and enable them to persevere.
In addition, he launched ‘MingBings,’ a line of highly nutritious vegan patties to benefit cancer research. A portion of the proceeds from this initiative will be donated to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This is the same facility where Tsai’s wife has been receiving treatment for the past three years.
Even a portion of the profits is donated to Family Reach. Tsai, who was born into a family of foodies, is a philanthropist who deeply believes in human values. In 2010, he met Darlene, a cancer patient who had expressed a desire to dine at his Blue Ginger restaurant.
He prepared the meal and personally attended to Darlene and her family. He learned about the impact of cancer through Family Reach, and when his wife was diagnosed with lung cancer, he knew exactly what she would have to go through. Despite the difficulties, he continues with his gourmet offerings, hoping that at least one of his two sons will take on the Chef’s hat. It runs in the family, after all!
